Educational Assistance awarded to RMTU Students
Some 434 students of Ramon Magsaysay Technological University (RMTU)—a premiere educational institution in this province will worry no more in filling the bill of their tuition fees.
This is because an Educational Assistance Program under the partnership of Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Zambales Vice Governor Ramon Lacbain II was awarded this January to RMTU Campuses in towns of Iba, Candelaria, Sta. Cruz, Masinloc, Botolan, San Marcelino and Castillejos.
Vice Gov. Lacbain said that this program targets a vision of easing the burden of students and parents in seeking finances to complete their tuition and other fees. “We understand that it is important to sustain education. That is why our office has established an astringent educational assistance program proposal, funded under the Priority Development Assistant Fund (PDAF) of Sen. Francis Pangilinan that will support deserving students.”says Vice Gov. Lacbain. Vice Gov. Lacbain added that under the program, the subsidy or the amount of money will be directed to the fiscal department of the university.
The beneficiaries will just present their certificates being part of the program so as to assure that the money will be use for their education until they graduate. He also mentioned that the program started since 2001, the same year that he was first seated in the vice governors post. Currently, there are 4 batches of beneficiaries which amounts to 4 million pesosan allocation of 1 million per batch.
In the year 2011 also, a Joint Governor Ebdane and Vice Gov. Lacbain Educational Assistance Program was awarded to RMTU, amounting to 1 million pesos from the savings of Vice Gov. Lacbain which benefited to 169 students.
Meanwhile, positive responses from some of the beneficiaries are also coming in. Grace Agdipa, a first year student of Education at RMTU Iba says that the program is more than an assurance that they will be financially assisted but also will make sure that they can graduate. “Maganda ung educational assistance. Kasi hindi namin kaylangan hawakan iyong pera, ipapakita na lng namin itong kasulatan sa RMTU at maibabawas na sa mga babayaran namin. So, siyempre, hindi na namin ito magagamit o magagastos pa sa ibang bagay.” exclaims Grace Agdipa. Moreover, Jonel Padasas, taking BS Industrial Technology at RMTU Iba says that the program teaches him to prioritize first his education. “Marami pa lang gustong tumulong sa amin para kami ay makapagtapos, kaya kung ako naman sa sarili ko lng, kailangan ko rin patunayan na deserving ako.” says Jonel Padasas.
The program is contribution to progress of Zambales under the leadership of Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr.
